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The famous Uluwatu Beach is one of our faves at the moment. To get there takes about 50 minutes from Kuta and you can hire transport guys as listed in the Little Miss Bali app for a full day for around 600 000Rup for a new car and a driver with great English. The beach is not easy to get to if you are very unfit, have bad knees or with children in prams ( easy with a baby bjorn or the likes) . You head to Blue Point Villas and past Single Fin shop and Bar and just keep heading down the stairs, basically most paths all lead past small warungs and stalls. Possibly around 600 stairs. Avoid eye contact with most sellers as they are renowned for how persistent and assertive they are ( keep in mind they are trying to earn a living however the Ulu’s tax on your basic sarongs, hats etc is pretty steep) . Unless you want a particularly unique souvenir ( or your 9 yr old does ) of a Rastafarian coloured Ulus hat with a monkey shooting a gun on it then bargain really hard ). There are loads of odd sized stairs which lead to a concrete narrow walkway( one person at a time only) with no hand rails and a steep set of skinny stairs ( which back in the day was just a bamboo ladder). Avoid eye contact with the cave monkeys too however they are usually rummaging through the sacred cave offerings for lollies and then you need to duck and weave your way through some narrow caves to this beautiful white sandy beach. Please be cautious of the tides changing and go at low tide, ( tide charts on the internet will help you time your visit) . Beautiful for mermaiding around, epic surf, crazy crabs to catch, perve on hot Brazilian guys or you can sit in the shade of the overhang and play your ipad ( whilst your slightly paranoid mother calculates the risk of it collapsing. Head back up the stairs and enjoy a beer as the sunsets into the sea. The Edge bar is a little less cool than Single Fin above it but easier to get a beer. Grab some BBQ corn on the cob for the drive home.

This place quickly became our favourite while hanging out on the Bukit. A fun place with a bit of history and character of an owner and awesome play list ( well for old farts like us anyway) with surf movies to enjoy as well. A breezy and really casual eatery with a tasty home made chili sauce, where you are encouraged to take your shoes off and relax. A Mexican place with fresh delicious meals, kids options, colouring in and great frozen daiquiris and margaritas, what’s not to love. I had to laugh reading one woman’s review on trip advisor taking offense to some of the signs on the walls which are all in drafted up in humour. My boys keep asking when we will be going back for the delicious Chicken Taco’s so it must be ok. Cacho’s Sunset Grill is located in Padang Padang on the main road as you head up to Uluwatu. Its about 40 minutes from Kuta depending on traffic.

They say that every visitor to Bali should see at least one dance and if you plan to see only one then this should be it. The combination of ancient ritual, dance, humour, drama, sunset and cliff setting makes the Kecak Ramayana Fire Dance one of the most spectacular performances imaginable. Accompanied by a choir of chanting men with it truly is a special memory that will stay with you long after you leave. You need to arrive around 5pm ( aim earlier as it gets sold out most evenings and traffic can get hectic on the way up the Bukit. Under an hour from Kuta, make your way to one of the most famed Temples on the island. There are loads of monkeys hence our local friend Suweni made the boys a scary stick to keep them at bay. Don’t take food, bananas sunglasses etc as they are well known for taking these from you. have ever if they do a sneaky cookie or something could make them drop your possessions for the treat. You need to pay around 10 000 donation to the temple for a sash and sarong which you need to return. You then can go in and explore the temple, the specially built monkey pool and walk along the tragic cliff edge where 100’s of Balinese ended their lives rather than be ruled by the Dutch many years ago. However don’t leave it too late to head to stunning amphitheatre to grab your seats. Set high on the cliff top, this is truly a moving experience with the priest blessing the performance prior to the show commencing. There was actually a storm brewing out to sea tonight so it was incredibly dramatic as the sun set and rain clouds swirled. The chanting men were mesmerising , the costumes elaborate and the white monkey Hanoman hilarious, be warned he may pick on you! my boys were absolutely fascinated with the show, with love, large knives and dancing and humour. Will Hanoman make it out of the fire alive ? that is the question ??? It is a fantastic show that lasts around 50 minutes I highly recommend it !

Born out of the need for seriously good coffee, Grocer and Grind has been delivering quality service, coffee and food for over 7 years. The Seminyak flagship store is popular spot of mine for a glass of red and its sensational meals all day long. Particularly when my boys were smaller as it is one of the first places to open in the morning and they love to feed the huge fish at the entrance. It was awesome when they opened a café on the Bukit, it just makes the all day surf trips more tolerable with a coffee in my belly. Most recently making a welcome glamorous addition to the scene in Sanur, long term holiday makers who prefer that side of the island, welcomed the fresh ground and expertly created coffee and bite to eat. Grocer and Gring has just opened its doors next to the hugely anticipated Sea Sentosa in Echo Beach. I know some of you will be incredibly nostalgic like me about the area and will reminisce about when it was just s tiny shack on the beach with an incredibly awful toilet. Yep the area has evolved and as long as its as classy and quality like this place who am I to stand in the way of development. Enjoy the cool air con inside or breezy outside option, with superfast free wifi and some tasty offerings on the menu, check it out if your in the area x

If you are after a true island get away, getting back to basics? then have a look at Mu Bali, located on the Bukit cliff tops in Bingin. With amazing views of the ocean and a variety of thatched roof huts/ bungalows available. The French owners will do their very best to take care of you, with the yummiest communal dinners with a selection of salads , grilled fish and so much more each night at 7.45. You will make new friends, relax enjoy the most sensational views in Bali. Make sure you don’t leave any valuables around otherwise the cheeky monkeys which live close by may decide to reposes them. Only 30 minutes from Kuta and close to some of the most beautiful white sand beach’s of Dreamland and Padang Padang, a great location to relax , cruise and soak up the sun. Check out ‘Isha’ the open air villa AMAZING …

If you are planning a day trip then perhaps consider a drive up to the Bukit ( near Uluwatu ) to spend the day at Finn’s Beach Club. Entrance is via the Semara Luxury Villa’s and it is $25 USD per adult ( kids under 12 free) which is redeemable for food and drinks. You can enjoy the sun lounges and a swim for the day. There are many stairs to go down and you have a ride in the inclinator which was my favourite part. This place is not cheap , however it is beautiful , plan to get there around 9 to ensure a lounge, it can get busy on the weekends. You can actually walk along the beach to the Nammos Beach Club. I personally prefer Finn’s xxx.